HONEY-DO LOOP August 8, 2011

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Ever since Charlotte saw me taking up the old track to make the longer main line (about 16 months ago), she has been bugging me to replace it.  Well , now that the loading ramp has been moved, I can use the old loading-ramp turnout as a start.  I'll have to build a new curved turnout and install some tight-radius track, but if that's what she wants, that's what she'll get!  It didn't take long before we figured out a name for it, the "Honey-do Loop."

FROG FOR CURVED TURNOUT - I wish I had taken pictures of the overall construction of the curved turnout, but I didn't get the camera out until I was working on the frog.  The challenge has been to find a good way to fill in the frog flangeway so the wheels don't drop.  Here is the finished frog, with the filler 1/8 inch below the top of the rail.

THREE EASY PIECES - The bottom and top piece were made from 1/4 inch aluminum, but since they weren't quite thick enough, I made a middle piece of 1/16 inch aluminum.  The three stacked pieces fit over the rail base and under the head.

SWITCH INSTALLED - Because the main line side (on the right) was traced off a pattern, it matched its new position well.  The curved side is a very tight curve.

FITTING IN THE TRACK - This time I pre-bent the rails before installing.  There were 2 spots where the rails were different sizes and I had to make transition joints.

FINISHED PRODUCT - The new track almost looks like it's always been there...well, actually, it was except for the 16 months I procrastinated!

BALLAST SPREADER -Here's my homemade ballast car, which cost all of 20 dollars in materials, including wheels made of PVC plumbing parts.

TRYING IT OUT - Charlotte rides a train on her brand new track, with that grin of success - she finally got me to build it!  That's Paul and his dog Goose by the shed.

ANOTHER VIEW - All ballasted and ready for action!